Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • Page 83

ecision Due Today MSlPs On the Fate of uspended Players -k-m r'V 7 -isi 7 SLb 4, At jnl I five days in the Sheraton Hotel to him that's a pretty plush life 'That kind of tantalization prohably occurs quite frequently. UPI Photo I BY CHARLIE INCENT Fr Press Sporti Writtr EAST LANSING Darryl Rogers almost certainly will not recall Thursday as one of the most memorable days in his life. Just 48 hours before his debut as head coach of the Michigan State Spartans, the 41-year-oid Rogers still didn't know who he'd be able to suit up against Ohjo State Saturday. "We've got two traveling lists," he conceded. "One if the court rules our kids can play the other if it says they can't." Thurdsav, the court said little.

As the hearing went on, U.S. District Judge Noel P. Fox did say that the cases of two of Michigan State's six suspended players ought to be reviewed. think rn the cases of (Joe) Hunt and (Mike) Cobb, there ought to be a review of the penalties in the light of the realities of the situation," Fox said from his court in Grand Rapids. He added that he will try to write-an opinion overnight and have it ready "at least by 9:30 or 10 o'cloc Friday morning.

HUNT HAS BEEN declared ineligible for the entire season and Cobb for the first five games as the result of using a credit card belonging to a Michigan State supporter. "Putting a credit card in the glove compartment of a car making it available to a student athlete is a strong temptation," Fox continued. "Or taking a black boy who has probably never been exposed to such experiences and putting him up for Tigers shortstop Mark Wagner (left) lets Carl Yas-trzemski's popup fall behind the mound Wednesday night as teammate Jason Thompson looks on. Misplay led to a run in Boston's 4-3 victory. White object near Wagner's feet is rosin bag.

Thai's Confusion "Then to punish the fellow for an action of the institution that exposed him to some very great temptations To deny for a whole year participation in football for one who has prohably made football his major is a tremendous penalty." Nothing went quite as scheduled for Michigan State Thursday. The anticipated court ruling was delayed for the second straight day and back at East Lansing Rogers and the rest of his squad were battling the elements in the final day of preseason practice at Spartan Stadium. The rain which began shortly before noon forced Rogers' scheduled meeting with over 300 members of the Downtown Coaches Club to be moved from the Spartan Stadium stands to the press box. That meeting was adjourned to Munn Ice Arena when the crowd filled the press box to overflowing. Only after arriving at the arena did Rogers discover the microphones there were not functioning.

"Well, I can yell!" he screamed. And he did. He explained all the problems" that have befallen the Spartans since fall practice began and he conceded something that many football coaches refused to admit: that he is aware of the betting line on his football team. "I SEE IN THE paper we are 17-point underdogs. But I don't know if that is with the guys who are in court or without them," he quipped.

"If it's without them, and we get to use them, that's okay. But if it's with them. and we don't get to use them, we're in trouble." Rogers even tried to find humor in MSU's punting, a phase of the game that was frustratingly weak last season. "What is your punting situation?" a member of the Downtown Coaches asked. "Scary," Rogers kept charts on our punters and everything and we hope we never have to That, though, is highly unlikely.

For one thing, the uncertainy over who will, and who will not, be available for Saturday's opener at Columbus has severly handicapped the MSU offense. DETROIT FREE PRESS Friday, Sept. 10. '7fi 1-E Rookies' Mistakes Plague Tigers BY JIM HAWKINS Fret Presi Sports Writtr BOSTON Ralph Houk knew the Tigers were in trouble when both Aurelio Rodriguej and Tom Veryzer got hurt, depriving the team of the whole left half of its infield. But he never thought if would be this bad.

The manager tries to ha philosophical about it. After all, the Tigers frequently have as many as six rookies on the field at the same time. And rookies make mistakes. Nevertheless, it's beginning to look like last year as the Tigers drop game after game. A month ago, they were in fourth place but it was a very respectable fourth, just 12A games behind the division-leading New York Yankees.

Now they're fifth, 21'2 back, and fading fast. In fact, they're just half-game ahead of the Milwaukee Brewers in the battle for last place in the Americn League THEY'VE LOST two in a row and nine of their last 11, with their latest loss occuring Wednesday evening against the Boston Red Sox by the score of 4-3. And, although no error was officially assessed, once again it was a foul-up in the field that may have cost the Tigers their chance at the victory. In the fifth inning, Carl Yastrzemski, who had homered for the 20th time this season earlier in the game, popped the ball into the air iust back of the pitcher's mound. It should have been a routine, inning-ending out.

INSTEAD, after calling for the ball, rookie shortstop Mark Wagner, who has had his troubles in the field, looked away at the last minute and let the ball fall between him and first baseman Jason Thompson for a run-producing single. "Confusion hurt us," admitted Ralph Houk, who has watched his team make Inexcusable error after inexcusable error, game after game. "But those things are going to Please turn to Page 7D, Col. 1 ft l'H Altie Taylor Fails Oilers' Physical Altie Taylor, whom the Lions traded to Houston two weeks ago, failed his physical exam with the Oilers Thursday and was officially returned as Detroit property. The Lions promptly placed his name on waivers, and if not claimed by Friday afternoon, he will become a free agent.

The 29-year-old Taylor, the Lions' all-time leading rusher, was traded just before Detroit officials discovered that the running back had checked himself into Ford Hospital with "mental fatigue. He reported to Houston only Tuesday. "I guess the fact that he was weakened had something to do with his failing the test," said Oilers assistant general manager Tom Williams. Altie Taylor Etaoin Slirdlu And Other Nicotic Minnie, 53, Makes Comeback Bill Veeck, who says he likes lo give is putting coach Minnie Minoso on the CHICAGO -(AP) older men a break, "We've split the No. 1 quarterback spot between Eddie Smith and Marshall Lawson," Rogers said, "So Ken who is No.

3, has actually run more plays in practice than either one of them." Smith, defensive linemen Larry Bethea and Melvin Land and linebacker Jim Epolito are appealing the NCAA's one-game suspensions against them. All will be on this weekend's traveling squad if the court rules in their favor Friday. active list with a chuckle and the hope his bat may help the swooning Chicago White Sox. "WE HAVE UP UNTIL 2 Rogers said. one of the very few active players who has been part of four decades.

Veeck said he assumes Minnie will be used as a designated hitter, "but he'll be available for whatever" duties Paul (manager Paul Richards) wants I'm curious to see what they'll be. Minnie was hired as first base coach in January, soon after Veeck took over the Sox-. He had played for Veeck previously with the Sox and Cleveland Indians. Minnie, who played and managed in Mexico the last 10 years before rejoining the Sox, was hit 189 times by pilches from 1919-1964-and American League career record. "One thing they won't do when he's at the plate is intimidate him," said Veeck.

Known in his heyday as the Cuban Comet; Minnie broke into the majors with Cleveland in 1949. He made his Sox debut as a player May 1, 1951, and became an instant darling of the fans by ripping a home run in his initial time at bat against the New York Yankees' Vic Raschi. He was traded back to the Indians after seven seasons with the Sox. When Veeck headed the Sox in 960, he brought Minoso back. Please turn to Page 7D, Column 1 Saturnino Orestes Arrieta Armas Minoso probably will be used as a designated hitter "during the White Sox home stand starting Friday night with the Cali: fornia Angels.

He is the second oldster Veeck has called fourth in his baseball ownerships. Twice in the past, he hired ageless pitcher Satchel Paige, at Cleveland and St. Louis. "I certainly don't have anything against using older men," said Veeck. Nobody knows for sure the age of Paige.

"We aren't even sure the age of Minnie. But the available records show he p.m. Friday, when our bus leaves "That's for the airport. If campus eligible by if they nothing we they're declared then, they'll go haven't, there's can do about it." Minnie Minoso Three of those six, F.pilito, Hunt, and Bethea, missed Thursday's workout in order Please turn to Page 4D, Col. 5 was born in cuoa inov.

iu, maxmg him 53." said Veeck. "He's in remarkable condition. I've watched him slamming balls in the leftfield stands in batting practice. If he doesn't get a hit, he'll get hit by a pitch. He'll be Wayne St.

Grid Fortunes Still Rising Eight in a scries analyzing the 1976 football prospects of Michigan's colleges and universities, BY MICK McCABE Fre Press Sports Writer The Wayne State footbaU team has been picked to finish second twice this fall. The Great Lakes Association coaches picked the Tartars to finish second in the conference anH Street and Smith's Official Yearbook picked Wayne as the No. 2 independent in -the Midwest. No, that's not Wayne State of Nebraska which was picked No. 2.

Street and Smith fully intended for the Wayne State next to Ford and Lodge interchange to be ranked behind only Notre Dame and ahead of such independan'ts as Cincinnati, Youngs-town and Dayton. If it seems strange, even stranger is that Street and Smith may be right. The 1976 Wayne Sta.te Tartars could be that good. Things I don't like about my job: Opdyke Road. Giving Jim Forney just 90 seconds to do a sports show.

Hank Aguirre not working for the Tigers. Ted Lindsay not working for the Red Wings. Old typewriter ribbons. Spiking the hall. Days when The Bird isn't pitching.

The guy who stole my field glasses five Super Bowls ago. Unsigned letters. Cigars 'but no matches after getting on 1-96 to East Lansing. Bringing in out-of-town broadcasters to do the Lions on TV. F.taoin shrdlu.

Purely All those breaks on the CBS Late Movies: Eight minutes of film, six commercials, eight minutes of film, six commercials Asking Russ Thomas a question. Stadium kielbasa which isn't kielbasa. The courts telling sports what's wrong but offering no solutions. When Jerry Green writes a good column. A 25-yard gain, then the announcer saying: "There's a flag back around the scrimmage line." Alas.

Dan. Maloney our only representative failing to make the Canada Cup series. ootball in July. Football in August. No football in January.

Russ Thomas giving an answer. The Browns Again? Ugh! David Pearson beating Richard Petty. 9-1 after three innings. Trying to, spell naieve. Sports Illustrated picking Michigan just to be different.

The short beers at Pontiac Stadium. Missed extra points. The Cleveland Browns on TV every Sunday. People who say auto racing is sick. Denny Franklin catching the ball instead of throwing it.

Joe Reed throwing the ball instead of catching it. People who ask for autographs and never say "please" or "lhank you." Drivers cutting in at the head of a line. Jack Nicklaus failing to win The Masters and ruining the whole The end of the college football season. A. J.

Foyt going out after 42 laps. The Lions being ashamed to tell (heir fans they got only a fiflh-round choice for Bill Munson. People who complain about Ralph Houk leaving his pitchers in too long. People who complain about Ralph Houk taking his pitchers out too soon. Mario Ardrelti going out after 12 laps.

Missing the opening kickoff. Sonny refusing to talk in his playing days and now blab-blab-blabbing away on the Sunday afternoon telecasts. Steel goal posts they can't tear down. Cheering in the press box. A ail-footer that hits the rim.

Anything that hits the rim. Betting my wife's age in the double and 8 and 4 coming up. Lynn and Fisk signing contracts after the season is a disas ter. Inside stories of drug use in sports that never name names. Gal writers who want to get into guys' dressing room.

Foul, by inches. Miss Dick Rutins Those ads they stick in magazines so I can't even turn the pages. Green Bay still stumbling all over the place. Boston without Espo and Orr. A screen pass that's broken up before it gets started.

Pistons and Wings playing at home the same night. Nothing to do on Tuesday nights. Bruce Martyn saying, "Oh, he just missed the corner with that one," and his analyst saying, "Oh, he just missed the corner with that one." Managers who blame the umps. That Detroit has no chance to get Reggie Jackson. AI Ackerman saying: "Minnesota heat Kansas City," and the screen telling me: "Kansas City 6, Minnesota 5." No instant replays on the field.

Panic: "Who threw the block?" No brown mustard for the hot dogs. Rick Leach, nine attempts, two complete, 13 yards. Woody Hayes controlling the Columbus press. The Columbus press allowing it. Those 95 steps up to the MIS press box.

No more Dick Butlais. Honolulu Blue, guys not royal blue. That Sunday night game coming up in the World Series. Rain on Saturday morning in October. No more Bill George, Joe Fortunato and all the guys.

No more Bobby Layne. sport coats in European and traditional styles, very, very; special at i ft SlRir Hi And, if you can stand it, -they will be even better next season. Of the 88 players on the squad only 10 are seniors. There are 27 juniors, 25 sophomores and 26 freshmen. Until last week, head coach Dick Lowry had only one problem in 1976: Finding a quarterback.

That was before junior center John Sokolosky from Detroit DeLaSalle broke the fourth metacarpal in his left hand and was lost for at least three games and then some. "Up until we lost John, I would have said equarterback was our main concern," said Lowry. "But John did so many things for us. He snapped for us for two years. He also did the snapping on punts, field goals and extra points.

It hurts to lose him." This will be Lowry's third year at Wayne State since his assistant coaching days at the University of Arkron. The past two years Wayne has compiled 7-3 and 8-3 records, and won the GLAIC championship last year, its first in the league. THE OFFENSE WAS SET back a hit further when junior quarterback Terry Copacia from Utica Eisenhower came down with a severe fhroat that left him very weak and out of practice a full week. His loss almosit gave sophomore Jim Gendron the QB spot by default. Gendron, from Taylor Truman, will be in his first year of college ball after transferring from Western Michigan University.

And there are a big pair of shoes to fill in the Wayne offense, left by last year's quarterback Ed Skowneski. "I wouldn't want to compare Gendron with Skowneski," said Lowry, "I wouldn't want to compare anyone with Skowneski. (i. vvi ir-, 5 4 1 4 Wk -j a Am HUGHES HATCHER But Jim throws well and he's a strong runrner. Jim will surprise a lot of people this year.

He does a lot of things well." With Copacio out, freshman Jeff Ragland of Warren Cousino assumes the backup role and Lowry feels, in time, he is going Please turn to Page 4D, Column 5 MOST HUGHES HATCHER STORES OPEN EVENINGS. MOST HUGHES HATCHER STORES OPEN SUNDAYS.).